Photinus Series by John James

A comedy set in the second century AD, Votan is the story of a Greek nobleman who is travelling and living abroad in Germany while carrying on an affair with a military man's wife. To save his own life he takes an emergency business trip and packs with his belongings certain items that lead the townspeople he encounters to think him a Norse God, which he doesn't try to dissuade them from... moreA comedy set in the second century AD, Votan is the story of a Greek nobleman who is travelling and living abroad in Germany while carrying on an affair with a military man's wife. To save his own life he takes an emergency business trip and packs with his belongings certain items that lead the townspeople he encounters to think him a Norse God, which he doesn't try to dissuade them from. Written in the same tone as Douglas Adams, the story unfolds in a humorous and adventurous manner as the lead character has to keep up the pretense of being a god while staying one step ahead of his lover's jealous husband. less

In this splendid novel John James has done for the rich and little-known treasury of Celtic mythology what in his highly successful Votan he did for the legends of the Norse Gods.

In the second century AD, a Greek nobleman is travelling and living abroad in Germany while carrying on an affair with a military man's wife. When discovered, he takes an emergency business trip to save his life and packs amongst his belongings certain items that lead the people he encounters to think him a Norse God, a fortuitous point of view which he does little to dispel... moreIn the second century AD, a Greek nobleman is travelling and living abroad in Germany while carrying on an affair with a military man's wife. When discovered, he takes an emergency business trip to save his life and packs amongst his belongings certain items that lead the people he encounters to think him a Norse God, a fortuitous point of view which he does little to dispel. Forced to keep up the pretence of being a god while staying one step ahead of his lover's jealous husband, Photinus must juggle the severity of his situation with the enjoyment of being a god.Published here with its sequel, NOT FOR ALL THE GOLD IN IRELAND and companion volume MEN WENT TO CATTREATH, VOTAN is one of the highpoints of modern fantasy. less